WE perceiue by you, whome we did constitute the mouth of our Lower House, howe with euen consent they are fallen into the due consideration of the [Page 2] precious gift of thankefulnesse, most v­sually least esteemed, where it is best deserued. And therefore we charge you tell them how acceptable such sa­crifice is woorthily receiued of a louing King, who doubteth much whether the giuen thanks can be of more poise then the owed is to them: and suppose that they haue done more for vs, then they themselues beleeue. And this is our reason: Who keepes their Souereigne from the lapse of error, in which, by ig­norance, and not by intent, they might haue fallen; what thanke they deserue, we know, though you may gesse. And as nothing is more deere to vs then the lo­uing cōseruation of our subiects hearts, What an vndeserued doubt might we haue incurred, if the abusers of our liberality, the thrallers of our people, [Page 3] the wringers of the poore, had not bene tolde vs! which, ere our heart or hand should agree vnto, we wish we had nei­ther: and do thanke you the more, sup­posing that such griefes touch not some amongst you in particular. We trust there resides, in their conceits of vs, no such simple cares of their good, whome we so deerly prise, that our hand should passe ought that might iniure any, though they doubt not it is lawfull for our kingly state to grant gifts of sundry sorts of whō we make election, either for seruice done, or merit to be deserued, as being for a King to make choise on whō to bestow benefits, more to one then an­other. You must not beguile your selues, nor wrong vs, to thinke that the glosing lustre of a glistring glory of a Kings title may so extoll vs, that we thinke all [Page 4] is lawfull what we list, not caring what we doe: Lord, how farre should you be off from our conceits! For our part we vow vnto you, that we suppose Physi­cians aromaticall sauours, which in the top of their potion they deceiue the Pa­tient with, or gilded drugges that they couer their bitter sweet with, are not more beguilers of senses, then the van­ting boast of a kingly name may de­ceiue the ignorant of such an office. I grant, that such a Prince as cares but for the dignity, nor passes not how the raines be guided, so he rule, to such a one it may seeme an easie businesse. But you are cumbred (I dare assure) with no such Prince, but such a one, as lookes how to giue account afore ano­ther Tribunal seat then this world af­fords, and that hopes, that if wee dis­charge [Page 5] with conscience what he biddes, will not lay to our charge the fault that our Substitutes (not being our crime) fall in. We thinke our selues most fortunately borne vnder such a starre, as we haue bene inabled by Gods power to haue saued you vnder our reigne, from forreigne foes, from Ty­rants rule, and from your owne ruine; and doe confesse, that wee passe not so much to be a Queene, as to be a Queene of such Subiects, for whom (God is witnesse, without boast or vaunt) wee would willingly lose our life, ere see such to perish. I blesse God, he hath gi­uen me neuer this fault of feare; for he knowes best, whether euer feare possest me, for all my dangers: I know it is his gift; and not to hide his glory, I say it. For were it not for conscience, and for [Page 6] your sake, I would willingly yeeld ano­ther my place, so great is my pride in reigning, as she that wisheth no longer to be, then Best and Most would haue me so. You know our presence can not assist each action, but must distribute in sundrie sorts to diuers kindes our com­mands. If they (as the greatest num­ber bee commonly the woorst) shoulde (as I doubt not but some doe) abuse their charge, annoy whom they should helpe, and dishonour their king, whom they should serue: yet we verely be­leeue, that all you will (in your best iudgement) discharge vs from such guilts. Thus we commend vs to your constant faith, and your selues to your best fortunes.